Un-official GTPlanet BBC Topgear UK ThreadTV
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My Comcast Digital Cable has been out since we've been having the rain issues here, so it was a no-go on Monday. That, or Mom didn't pay the bill. Either way, we're on season eight, so it isn't much that I haven't already seen before... Other than it being on US televisions.
I'll probably still get episodes from "other sources," but I'll be sure to have my TV on as well, as I want to keep Top Gear here in the US.
...in the words of that guy on Mythbusters, "Now there's your problem". I hate Comcast, it's the single worst utility service we have...and yes we still have it for some reason.
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I've not had problems with Comcast (except for that they don't carry SPEED on expanded cable in Thurston County; I had to upgrade to digital AND get the sports package).
I was very happy to watch Top Gear last night. Definitely one of the best auto shows out there. Clarkson annoys the hell out me, though. He hates Americans, but as a loud-mouthed, opinionated, prejudiced, self-absorbed asshole, you think he'd fit right in here!
), and have the worst service record of any electric company in the Pacific Northwest. They have 300 repair crews to service 3 million customers. Seattle City Light has as many crews, and 1/5th as many customers (and fewer trees to deal with). I hate Puget Sound Energy.
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We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.
I was very happy to watch Top Gear last night. Definitely one of the best auto shows out there. Clarkson annoys the hell out me, though. He hates Americans, but as a loud-mouthed, opinionated, prejudiced, self-absorbed asshole, you think he'd fit right in here!
Now entering the 🤬 utility ring: Puget Sound Energy. They charge you a $200 deposit on your first bill (you might be able to have it waived if you send them 3 credit reportsJoey D
), and have the worst service record of any electric company in the Pacific Northwest. They have 300 repair crews to service 3 million customers. Seattle City Light has as many crews, and 1/5th as many customers (and fewer trees to deal with). I hate Puget Sound Energy.[/sidebar]
We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.
Sage
Staff Emeritus
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I dont think Clarkson actually hates America as much as he claims to. Granted, he obviously likes Britain more, but I think he acts like he desperately hates America just because it gives his viewers a few laughs. Its infinitely easier to craft jokes when you have a facade of bigotry.
The tip-off for me was when he was interviewing Brian Cox, and referred to Britain as being a free country (as opposed to America). That seemed to me to be a subtle, ironic jab at the ludicrous lawmaking atmosphere going on right now in Britain (national ID, cameras everywhere, cant defend ones own home from burglars, etc.).
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I love Clarkson because he is honest, and just seems to not give a damn anymore. It may be more evident in his weekly column in the Times, which often makes him seem far more intelligent than he appears on the show. Compared to other automotive journalists out there, he is in a league of his own now that Brock Yates has retired. I have the upmost respect for the man as a journalist, and as an automobile fanatic.
...Its just a shame he doesn't love American cars enough...
...Its just a shame he doesn't love American cars enough...
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- JDA1982
I agree with Sage, I don't think he hates America or American cars as much as he claims he does. I don't think he likes American cars on our roads mind, but re-watch that TopGear episode where they had a road trip through part of America and Clarkson was in that old Camaro, he really enjoyed that experience and that car, ofcourse at the end of the show he says something along the lines of "two things we've learned from this. One, it's not as easy to buy a car as rent one, and two, don't go to America." Yet there he really liked that battered old Camaro.
The bottom line is that the majority of America cars work far better in America than they do over here and that magnifies his anti-American person and the jokes that result from it. Don't get me wrong, he doesn't particularly liek America, but the whole verbally tearing down everything in the way of American auto's is far more of an act than a true representation of Clarkson himself. Another example, the two Corvette tests, okay he genuinely didn't like the Z06 on the roads, neither did all of out magazines, but he really likes it on the track and he likes the C6 on the track and the orads, but he still poked fun at the suspension and the plastic bodywork even though he admitted that the car handled well and that he liked it. He liked the C6 so much that in a non-TopGear related column he said that despite it beingh lhd he would consider it as an option if he was in the market for a £50k sportscar.
And yes, he is actually a pretty smart, man. He plays that down a lot in the public spotlight especially on TopGear, he loves his image and playing that part as he's shown in TopGear, I think that he is genuinely over opinionated though.
The bottom line is that the majority of America cars work far better in America than they do over here and that magnifies his anti-American person and the jokes that result from it. Don't get me wrong, he doesn't particularly liek America, but the whole verbally tearing down everything in the way of American auto's is far more of an act than a true representation of Clarkson himself. Another example, the two Corvette tests, okay he genuinely didn't like the Z06 on the roads, neither did all of out magazines, but he really likes it on the track and he likes the C6 on the track and the orads, but he still poked fun at the suspension and the plastic bodywork even though he admitted that the car handled well and that he liked it. He liked the C6 so much that in a non-TopGear related column he said that despite it beingh lhd he would consider it as an option if he was in the market for a £50k sportscar.
And yes, he is actually a pretty smart, man. He plays that down a lot in the public spotlight especially on TopGear, he loves his image and playing that part as he's shown in TopGear, I think that he is genuinely over opinionated though.
Joey D
Premium
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I can see where he is coming from though...looking at America from another country really makes one see how fat, lazy, stupid, arrogant, loud, obnoxious, etc. Americans are. It kind makes me disappointed in my home country. I say Clarkson is justified in saying that...I think he's a bit to hard on American car though, they aren't that bad. Granted many European only models are worlds ahead of our cars but they aren't sold here so we will never know.
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Which is why he'd never do a TopGear show for America specifically, he tried it to a degree when they re-edited the UK show for a couple of series for the US, he still made the jokes just not as many of them. While he probably doesn't hate American cars as much as he jokes about, I don't think he particulaly likes American culture, nor do I think he would pander to it.
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Yes, week three, and it has been great! Its just so much better being on my TV than on my computer (although, I haven't tried it on my new PC), despite the fact these are fairly "old" episodes.
I believe next-weeks is the one with the Toyota Aygo versus the VW Fox from the World Cup... Hard to believe that was a year ago!
I believe next-weeks is the one with the Toyota Aygo versus the VW Fox from the World Cup... Hard to believe that was a year ago!
Sage
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I was at a spot with cable a week or two ago, and so I was able to watch episodes 1 and 2. Two observations:
1) It feels… surreal to watch it on TV after having watched it on the computer for so long (and so often – I’ve probably watched every episode of seasons 8 and 9 a dozen times). It seems like the camera moves too fluidly.
2) The cuts actually annoyed me quite a lot. Thing is, they didn’t just cut out the news – which is one of my favorite parts – but they also do some splicing on in-studio portions. For example, in the first episode when they introduced Tee-Gee, they cut out the portion where Hammond explains that problems with her (not knowing what do do with her, frightened of cars, vomited on James). All the splicing makes it feel like a suite of advertisements rather than a comprehensive car show – it really messes up the linearity of the presentation.
1) It feels… surreal to watch it on TV after having watched it on the computer for so long (and so often – I’ve probably watched every episode of seasons 8 and 9 a dozen times). It seems like the camera moves too fluidly.
2) The cuts actually annoyed me quite a lot. Thing is, they didn’t just cut out the news – which is one of my favorite parts – but they also do some splicing on in-studio portions. For example, in the first episode when they introduced Tee-Gee, they cut out the portion where Hammond explains that problems with her (not knowing what do do with her, frightened of cars, vomited on James). All the splicing makes it feel like a suite of advertisements rather than a comprehensive car show – it really messes up the linearity of the presentation.
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Warning May Contain Spoilers For Next Series
_________________________________________
Removed In the Intrest Of Topgear & The BBC
Enjoy!
[/Spoiler]
_________________________________________
Removed In the Intrest Of Topgear & The BBC
Enjoy!
[/Spoiler]
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Are you using ConvertXtoDVD? I have season 8 on dvd too but my dvd burner is broken so season 9 will have to wait for now...
I was converting the files to a decent resolution and a format that was acceptable with the DVD-burning software on my old computer and going from there. It still looked a bit pixilated on my HDTV, but it was enjoyable enough for me.
But now that I can download the episodes in HD and display them in HD on my computer, thats a HUGE bonus. But, I'll still watch the old episodes on TV...
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So am I it looks to be quite a good series with some car reviews in which is good seeming last series didn't have many at all really...
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I really enjoyed the last series a lot.
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a dragster trying rallycross might have had something to do with that though.....
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The official BBC Top Gear website makes no mention of the show coming on tomorrow, however, another episode from season 8 will be on here in the US. Could that be the cause of confusion?
Final Gear is reporting that the next Top Gear series starts in October, so we're pretty much stuck with TG re-runs and new 5th Gear episodes (not too bad) for a while now...
BTW: Did anyone see Tiff driving the hell out of the Veyron on 5th Gear this past week?
Final Gear is reporting that the next Top Gear series starts in October, so we're pretty much stuck with TG re-runs and new 5th Gear episodes (not too bad) for a while now...
BTW: Did anyone see Tiff driving the hell out of the Veyron on 5th Gear this past week?
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They seemed a bit upset over Tiff dis-engaging the ESP, didn't they? Although, I'm certain that someone at some point is going to hand Top Gear the car. I mean, Motor Trend had to use privateers (as I recall) to test the Veyron.
My guess is that the Stig would get the car to perform quite well, but I'm not certain if it has the grip it would need to be the fastest on the track. But, I may be talking out my rear here...
My guess is that the Stig would get the car to perform quite well, but I'm not certain if it has the grip it would need to be the fastest on the track. But, I may be talking out my rear here...
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